Vengeance in the Old Testament

The end of First Samuel and the beginning of Second recounts the transition between the reigns of Saul and David.  The reign of Saul did not go well.  It started disintegrating early for the simple reason that Saul wouldn’t listen to God.

The anointing of David as the new king happened in 1 Samuel 16.  A few chapters later, female David fans chant, Saul slew his thousands and David his ten thousands.  As that song went viral, Saul chucked a javelin toward David in his palace, wanting him as his own pin cushion.  Saul quickly developed maybe the worst case of paranoia of anyone in all history.  He obsessed over the violent demise of David.

The narrative contrasts the vengeance of Saul versus the clemency of David.  David was an opposite of Saul in this matter.  Saul put more into killing David than the larger threat, Israel’s national enemy, the Philistines.  With his very large army, he chased David everywhere and with murderous intent.

The Contrast Between Saul and David

On the other hand, David performed harp music for Saul to soothe his bubbling psyche.  With all his capabilities for revenge, in his generation David stood out in his non-vengeance.  David had two point-blank chances to kill Saul and didn’t.  He also thwarted the aggressions of his own men against Saul.  Rather than cheer the death of Saul, David ordered the execution of an Amalekite who assisted Saul’s suicide.

David’s man Asahel died at the hand of Saul’s general Abner because he refused to stop chasing him down to kill him.  With vengeance, David’s general Joab murdered Abner.  David though for an entire day mourned the death of Abner.  He protected Saul’s remaining living son, Ishbosheth, from the vengeance of enemies.

The story of Israel in the historical books of the Old Testament brings with it a tale of much vengeance.  This vengeance affected the history of the nation in a very detrimental way.  The history of the world recounts violence attending the transfer of power from one regime to another.  The stain of vengeance colored the future for Israel.  It diminished the trajectory of the nation.

God’s Will on Vengeance

Far back in Leviticus 19:18 God establishes through Moses:

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

God says in Deuteronomy 32:15, “To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense.”  Many might answer, “It’s easier said than done.”  I understand.  Even when someone “steals” our spot in traffic, we might decide to do something about it.  The Apostle Paul repeats the Old Testament affection in Romans 12:19 as indicative of church submission to the Holy Spirit:

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Two verses later, Paul explains vengeance to “be overcome with evil” instead of overcoming evil with good.

Hedging against Destructive Vengeance

It really isn’t that vengeance itself is wrong.  Vengeance is God’s.  God isn’t doing wrong when He takes vengeance.  God knows that (1) people cannot handle vengeance and (2) they will go astray trying to get it.  Vengeance diverts people from their true purpose in life.  Love for God and neighbor does not abide in a vengeful heart.  Everyone must remain an audience of gospel preaching, as God seeks the redemption of men’s souls.

Vengeance rips apart institutions:  family, government, and church.  At the same time, in general men won’t heed warnings against vengeance without true conversion.  Desire for vengeance holds them in a path of ruin.

When Jesus said the truth will set you free, that includes freedom from vengeful wrath.  When God captures a man’s heart, He gives it strength to endure.  One who possesses “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” can embrace this fullness as a hedge against revenge in his mind and heart.  Rather than vengeance, the ambassador of Christ seeks mediation and reconciliation.  “As much as possible, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).